SEASON OPENER Jazz for the SOUL featuring Jazz con Alma

Jazz for the Soul Season Opener at our NEW West-Side Venue, Heritage Presbyterian Church, will feature JAZZ con ALMA with Beth Lederman-piano, along with percussionist Frank Valdes, John Murray-bass,Todd Chuba-drums, and Adam Roberts-tenor sax!

Translating as “Jazz with Soul” or “Jazz with Spirit,” Beth Lederman and Jazz Con Alma provide just that. With an emphasis on Latin jazz, the group ranges from traditional to contemporary music with the spirit of improvisation and the love of jazz always intact. Jazz that is easy to listen to, but doesn’t compromise the integrity and creativity that make this music celebrated as America’s own unique art form. Mix in the rhythms of samba, salsa, swing, bossa-nova, cha-cha, add some of Phoenix’s finest musicians, shake well, and serve for a memorable evening of music!

Beth Lederman is well-known for her sophisticated jazz and rhythmic Brazilian and Latin-jazz piano styles, not only in the Phoenix area, but throughout the Western U.S. from Canada to Mexico. She has been playing professionally for more than thirty years, leading her own groups, Jazz Con Alma and the Brazilian Jazz group Novo Mundo as well as playing with such well-known names as The Diamonds, Bobbie Vinton, and the Drifters.

Beth is a first-call player in the Valley who loves all kinds of music, and she has played with a variety of local artists such as Steven Powell, Diana Lee, Kim Weston, Walt Richardson, Pete Pancrazi, Alice Tatum, Dennis Rowland, and Mario Mendivil. She has performed with the Phoenix Symphony and played shows at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, The Ravenscroft, The Nash, and many of Phoenix’s iconic venues. Her music is melodic, fun, fluid, passionate, innovative, heartfelt, rhythmic, eclectic, honest, artistic, humorous, spontaneous…and great!!

"Incredible piano diversity, inventive arrangements, and memorable originals."

Adam Roberts (tenor saxophonist) is an in-demand musician and educator. He performs and records on saxophones, guitars, flutes, and clarinets in a variety of genres including jazz, rock, funk, classical and pop. Adam is a seasoned music educator with over a decade of public school, college and private instruction. Adam is the Instrumental Music Lead at Chandler Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Arizona. Adam holds 3 music degrees in both performance and education, including a Masters from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has studied with a wide array of teachers including Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Bob Brookmeyer, Danilo Perez, and Joel DiBartolo among others.

Jon Murray (bass) returned to the Phoenix four years ago with his family after 19 years teaching and performing music in Southern California. He's held several teaching positions, including most recently as orchestra and jazz director at Arizona School for the Arts and Music Theory professor at Grand Canyon University. In addition Jon held the position of Jazz Director at Arizona Christian University, as orchestra and jazz director at Flintridge Prep School in the L.A. area, and other teaching positions at Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, California State University Northridge, the Master’s College, and the Colburn School of Performing Arts. Mr. Murray received both his bachelors and masters degrees at Arizona State University in Jazz Performance and Theory/Composition respectively. He performs regularly as a bassist in various jazz ensembles and orchestras in the Phoenix and Los Angeles music communities. 

Frank Valdes (percussion) is a 26-year veteran of music performance who performs and tours with the Machito Orchestra, The Richie Cecere Orchestra, The Shirelles, The Dalton Gang and Donna Summers.

Todd Chuba (drums) is originally from rural Michigan but  moved to Arizona to study music at ASU. He has been a professional  drummer and percussionist, specializing in a variety of musical genres  and styles, for over 35 years.

"Todd Chuba’s career is a rare thirty-year success story that  includes recordings, performances and national and international tours  with the likes of:  Nils Lofgren (“Old School 2012”), Paul Rogers  (“Abandon Love ~ Amnesty International Tribute To Bob Dylan 2012”), Eric  Burden, Glen Campbell, Joey DeFrancesco, David Griesman, David  Garfield, Eric Marienthal, Neil Stubenhaus, Lenny Castro, Steve Gadd,  Steve Ferrone, Ray Herndon, Tom Booth, Al Casey, Alice Tatum, Annie  Sellick, Khani Cole, Bob Friedman, Stevie Nicks. A True testament to a  musician's approach to drums and percussion." — TJS Custom Drums

ALL JFTS CONCERTS ARE FREE and open to the public and all donations received will benefit local and international humanitarian causes. You do not need to register for this event, but if you haven't done so, please join our mailing list so we can keep you posted with Jazz for the Soul updates and reminders. Doors open at 4:45PM.